Unwanted visitors - How to deter foxes

Why deter foxes? Like some other wildlife that frequents our gardens from time to time, foxes are fabulous if a rarity, but can be a real nuisance if they get too over-familiar.

They can dig up plants, tear up lawns and make a mess in the way that dogs do. They are very territorial and have a regular "round", so they probably see you as as much of a problem on "their" territory as you see them on yours, the longer they've been around, the more settled they are and the more difficult to dislodge. They can also be very noisy.

Make your garden unwelcoming for them:

Don't put food out for the birds for instance unless it's on a high difficult to get at bird table.

Don't leave garbage bags out in the open, get some kind of fox-proof container for them.

Check your garden fence or hedge for gaps where they're getting in and close them off. They may find somewhere else to get through or may just take an easier route avoiding your garden altogether. They are particularly good at squeezing under gates.

Don't use "blood, fish and bone" or bonemeal , use seaweed-based fertilizers if you want to be organic, otherwise use manufactured chemical fertilizers.